Utilities and public transportation priced at$20 in 1998→$29.61 in 2018

Historical Price Inflation for Utilities and public transportation

Prices for Utilities And Public Transportation, 1998-2018 ($20)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for utilities and public transportation were
48.05% higher
in 2018 versus 1998.

Between 1998 and 2018:Utilities and public transportation experienced an average inflation rate of 1.98% per year.
In other words, utilities and public transportation costing $20 in the year 1998 would cost $29.61 in 2018 for an equivalent purchase.
Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.13% during this same period, inflation for utilities and public transportation was
lower.

In the year 1998: Pricing changed by 0.06%,
below the average yearly
change for utilities and public transportation during the 1998-2018 time period.
Compared to inflation for all items in 1998 (1.55%), price inflation for utilities and public transportation was
lower.

Price Inflation for Utilities and public transportation since 1957

Consumer Price Index, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Years with the largest changes in pricing:
1981 (14.89%),
1980 (14.25%),
and 1982 (12.41%).

Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Utilities and public transportation:

How to calculate the inflation rate for utilities and public transportation, 1998-2018

Start with the inflation rate formula:

CPI in 2018 / CPI in 1998* 1998 USD value = 2018 USD value

Then plug in historical CPI values from above. The CPI for Utilities and public transportation was 146.008 in the year 1998 and 216.168 in 2018:

216.168 / 146.008* $20 = $29.61

Therefore, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $20 in 1998 has the same "purchasing power" as $29.61 in 2018 (in the category of Utilities and public transportation).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the Consumer Price Index for Utilities and public transportation in 1957. In addition to utilities and public transportation, the index produces monthly data on changes in prices paid by urban consumers for a variety of other goods and services.